How do you treat a broken toenail?

How do you treat a broken toenail?

Keep the nail bed dry, clean, and covered with petroleum jelly and an adhesive bandage until the nail bed is firm or the nail has grown back. Apply a new adhesive bandage whenever the bandage gets wet. Watch for signs of infection such as increasing heat, redness, pain, tenderness, swelling, or pus.

Should I go to the doctor for a broken toenail?

If you aren’t comfortable tending to the nail yourself or think the damage is serious, call your doctor or a podiatrist. Go to an urgent care center or emergency room when: The tear is too far down for you to trim. The base or sides of the nail are pulling away or already detached from the nail bed or nail folds.

Do Broken toenails grow back?

After a nail separates from the nail bed for whatever reason, it will not reattach. A new nail will have to grow back in its place. Nails grow back slowly. It takes about 6 months for a fingernail and up to 18 months for a toenail to grow back.

Is it bad if your toenail breaks off?

A broken or detached toenail is a common and often painful condition that many people experience in their lifetime. Detached toenails are usually safe to remove, and they will typically grow back within a year and a half. A detached toenail can result from an injury or infection.

Should I remove broken toenail?

If you have a damaged toenail, you might be tempted to remove it yourself. But while damaged toenails sometimes fall off on their own, it’s not a good idea to force that process. Removing a damaged toenail yourself could lead to serious complications that end up making matters worse.

How long does a broken toenail take to heal?

Taking good care of your wound at home will help it heal quickly and reduce your chance of infection. The wound should heal within a few weeks. If completely removed, fingernails may take 6 months to grow back. Toenails may take 12 to 18 months to grow back.

How do you help a bruised toenail heal faster?

How to Heal Black Toenails. If a black toenail rips off and causes injury, first apply pressure until the bleeding stops. Then apply an antibiotic ointment and cover with a bandage to prevent infection. Do this each day after showering until the wound closes up, which should take about one to two weeks.

What happens if your nail bed is damaged?

If you have a deep cut in your nail bed, you should see a doctor, especially if it doesn’t stop bleeding. Subungual hematomas that cover more than a quarter of your nail also need medical treatment. If your finger is very swollen or painful, or if you think it’s fractured, you should see your doctor for an evaluation.